In 1972 scientists discovered that
the atomic clock was “off” and an extra two seconds needed to be added to
correct time. Twelve year old best
friends James and Byron are deeply disturbed by the idea that time can be
altered so easily. Byron in particular
is very concerned about when the two seconds will be added, especially when he
sees his watch jump as his mother is driving him and his sister to school. As those seconds are added he sees the girl
on the red bicycle out of the corner of his eye. He knows they have hit her with their car,
just as he knows that his mother has no idea what she has just done. Those two seconds will change the lives of
everyone in the story for their lifetimes.
This is a slow building book with
two storylines set in the past and the present. It is amazing to see how much one event, two
seconds, impacts so many lives. The story,
the interconnectedness of all the events and consequences, unfolded little by
little making sure the cause and effect were evident, until you realize that
misassumptions have been made. (Can’t
tell you what I mean, there is a whopper at the ending.) A good choice on audiobook.
